Bound by Bliss (Bound and Determined #2)(57)
Bliss sensed complete honesty was called for, at least as much honesty as she ever allowed herself to consider. “I believe you are right. With time I am quite sure that I could find such a marriage. The difficulty is that for years I have avoided marriage. If it were possible I hoped to never marry at all. I like the life I lead and even think it would be great fun to be the maiden aunt to Swanston and Louisa’s children. I am content with my life.”
Lady Perse leaned forward. “That does not explain how you came to seek my help.”
No, it did not. “My brother believes I need to marry. He has given me to the end of the summer to find a husband or I must accept the one he has chosen for me.”
“Ahh, that does explain much. I have been right all along. A forced marriage is no good at all, will not lead to happiness.” Lady Perse sat back and chomped upon the cream tart. The force of the bite actually distracted Bliss from her thoughts and worries for the briefest of moments.
It was definitely a chomp and not a nibble. Nursery maids across the city would have run crying if their charges had bitten with such force, the scattering of crumbs flying. Although Lady Perse clearly did contain some magic, because not a single crumb came to rest upon the maroon silk of her high bodice. And there didn’t seem to be crumbs on the rug either. Where did they go? Did they disappear in midair? Bliss stared at Lady Perse’s mouth, waiting for her to take another bite. It was a mystery that could only be solved by close observation.
“Do you have a man in mind?” Lady Perse’s words punched through Bliss’s wall of thought, forcing her back to the moment.
“No. Yes. No.” Now, that was not an effective answer. A day ago it would have been a much more definite no. Today she was not as sure. Duldon kept pushing his way into her thoughts when he did not belong there. She was not looking for a husband who occupied her thoughts. Despite the adventures of the last days she was still sure that what she needed was a husband she simply got along with. Whether she believed in love or not she was certainly not looking for it in marriage. She wanted an easy marriage and whatever else might be true of Duldon she was sure that marriage to him would never me easy. It might be horrible. It might be wonderful. It would not be easy.
“You are a most inattentive young woman. Do not think I miss when your thoughts wander and in a most inappropriate manner if that smile is to be any judge. I want a proper answer. Do you have a man in mind that you wish to wed?”
“No,” Bliss said as firmly as she could. “That is why I want your help. I want to find a husband I can be friends with.” The simplicity of the statement almost made her gasp. That was what she wanted. Her dreams were not of a fantasy man who would love her until death them did part. No, she wanted a friend, a man she liked, who liked her. A sense of ease filled her. Now that she understood what she was looking for, perhaps she could find it.
“That is not how I normally manage, but perhaps I could make an exception.” Consideration filled Lady Perse’s voice.
“I would be most obliged.” It would be much simpler with Lady Perse’s help. “I am afraid that over the years, in my determination not to wed, I may have turned down several men who might have been possible choices. Now these men have either wed others or might be shy to approach me again. I am sure that you could be quite helpful in helping me find new choices, or smoothing the way for me to approach those I have previously rejected.”
“It might be possible.” A finger tapped lightly upon the table.
Bliss began to feel real hope. Lady Perse would help her find a husband. And Duldon, where did Duldon fit in with her plans? Her mind stretched and turned trying to find a spot, even as her body, which thankfully had cooled during Lady Perse’s visit, sprang to life again, the ache between her thighs sending out shivers of demand.
The tapping finger settled on the thick vellum of the envelope and moved it in Bliss’s direction—but not all the way. “You still have not asked the price.”
Price? What price? She was already busy thinking of Duldon and tonight. Without the fear of not finding an amicable husband she could relax and enjoy his lessons. And she could even justify them. He was helping her understand that part of what she needed in a husband. She had been wrong before in thinking compatibility in the bedroom would not be an important part of a comfortable marriage. Yes, she needed to find a husband who pleased her and how could she be sure of compatibility if she had no idea what she was looking for. Yes, her time spent with Duldon would be very useful, perhaps even crucial. She would go to Madame Rouge’s tonight and learn about Duldon’s punishment—and all that came after it. Her breasts swelled and she could only hope that the poke of her nipples was not too prominent. Her hand almost rose to circle Duldon’s mark. It still stood out bright and red upon her skin. She’d had to turn away her maid this morning and dress herself in a simple gown. She forced her hands to remain folded in her lap, tried to breathe shallowly to prevent the further chafe of her breasts on the delicate linen of her chemise. They were still sensitive from last night and the thought of Duldon’s lips and teeth upon them again was…
“You are inattentive again, my dear girl.” Lady Perse’s voice was frosting up again. “I do not believe I can help you if you cannot even keep your mind steady for a full minute. And you must work on controlling your flush. Gentlemen will not wish a wife who continually looks as if she is having lewd thoughts.”